Sat, Mar 23 2013 - Emory Lullwater Park at a DRY time of day! (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Charlie Cottingham Participants: Charlie Cottingham, Mark W, Joyce T., Merrilee H, Jean, HK, Kimberly, Jason B

As adeptly predicted by the Nat'l Weather Service we had nary a drop of rain during our delightful 3-hour 6-mile hike at Emory this afternoon, despite a very wet morning!  We hiked virtually every trail including the Candler Lake loop, Hahn Woods extension, and "Houston Mill House" trail, and enjoyed two crossings of the swinging bridge.  It warmed up nicely to about 60 degrees and the sun popped out several times toward the end of the hike.

It was fun having Kimberly with us, a new member who lives in Chicago and is visiting her dad, Harry, this weekend.  Also it was great to get to see Jason again - he's an AOC Trip Leader and accomplished birder who has been very busy lately with his job at CDC.  Jason pointed out several birds along the way including bluebirds and a slender raptor flying through the trees - perhaps a Coopers Hawk.

Thanks to Jean and Merrilee for bringing their well-behaved dogs!  It was a hoot watching Merrilee's little short-legged fuzzball keeping pace with Jean's swift long-legged Italian greyhounds!

Thanks to Joyce sharing almost 100! nice photos she took along the way, including a few of my favorite CAMELLIA bush, now in full bloom by the old mechanics' shed near Lullwater House. The one bush has both dark pink and white/pink 2-toned flowers.  It's great to see so many signs of spring, with blooming mayapple, rue anemone and purple native redbud trees.

Here's Joyce's link to her beautiful Facebook Photo Album: 

-Submitted by Charlie, 7:30PM Saturday evening w/Joyce's link added Sunday.